A series of 18 triaxial CIUP (undrained isotropically consolidated with pore pressure measurement) tests of fissured cemented Neogene lacustrine clay from northern Bohemia is analyzed, with special reference to the shear strength. The effects of sample disturbance, swelling, and cementation are shown to be the principal factors affecting the shear envelope. During the prepeak stage of testing, destruction of the cementation of some specimens occurs, which is reflected in the wavy form of the stress–strain diagrams. The linear strength envelopes were found to be arranged according to the amount of disturbance (as expressed in the magnitude of swelling). Cemented and uncemented specimens differ when pore-water pressure and stress–strain diagrams are compared. Key words : Miocene clay, undisturbed samples, triaxial test, structural bonds, cementation, sample disturbance.